FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: 6 Must-Start Players for Week 14 | The Primer (Ep. 1881)
Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Seth Wilcox & Derrick Brown (D-Bro)

Episode Overview

With playoff hopes on the line in the final week of the fantasy football regular season, Seth Wilcox and Derrick Brown break down their top six must-start sleeper players for Week 14. They focus on actionable, under-the-radar recommendations for managers facing tricky lineup decisions due to injuries or byes, and back up their picks with matchup data, player trends, and sharp analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback: Tyrod Taylor, NYG

• Why Start Tyrod Taylor?
  • Currently ranked QB19 in Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR), but D-Bro and Seth are bullish.
  • He brings rushing equity: "If he scores just a rushing touchdown, he probably is a QB one just automatically." - Seth Wilcox (05:05)
  • Faces Miami—a defense allowing the 12th most yards per attempt and passing yards per game since Week 9.
  • Miami struggles to contain running QBs, giving up the third most rushing yards to quarterbacks over the last month; Taylor had 44 rushing yards last week, and 48 in his Week 3 start.
• Quote:
  "Tyrod, if he finishes as a QB one again this week, I will not be surprised, sir." — Derrick Brown (06:10)
• Start Taylor Over?
  • Conversation about playing Taylor over Tua Tagovailoa, Caleb Williams, Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, and Sam Darnold. Both hosts clearly prefer Taylor over some "name" QBs this week.

Timestamp: 05:12–07:27

2. Quarterback: C.J. Stroud, HOU

• Why Start CJ Stroud?
  • Texans face the Chiefs, who are a "pass funnel" defense—very tough against the run, susceptible to the pass (6th highest YPA, 5th most passing yards allowed since Week 9).
  • Low pressure rate from KC means Stroud should have a clean pocket.
  • Houston likely forced to throw to keep pace with Mahomes.
• Quote:
  "You cannot run the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs. So if the Texans want to get points on the board, they’re going to have to freaking throw it. And you could do that with a lot of success versus Kansas City." — Seth Wilcox (07:45)
• Concerns:
  • Potential risk if the game turns into a “dog fight” and stays low-scoring, but even 20 points might mean two passing touchdowns for Stroud.

Timestamp: 07:45–09:58

3. Running Back: Blake Corum, LA Rams

• Why Start Blake Corum?
  • Emergent flex/RB2 play as Rams look to keep Kyren Williams fresh, especially with Williams nursing a real ankle injury.
  • Corum has averaged 10 carries per game and has 12 red zone carries since Week 7.
  • Matchup vs. Arizona Cardinals: defense allows the 8th most rushing yards, 2nd highest missed tackle rate, and 8th highest explosive run rate since Week 9.
• Quote:
  "He’s a strong flex play this week… Corum could get live in the 10–15 touch range… he’s playing a run defense that has given up efficiency to running backs and he has touchdown equity… Why not, man?" — Seth Wilcox (11:43)
• Notable Stats:
  • Top 12 in explosive run rate and missed tackle rate.
  • Cardinals allow the most touchdowns to RBs over the past month (7 total: 5 rushing, 2 receiving).
• Analyst Insight:
  • Injury updates from Dr. Deepak Chona suggest Williams will remain limited, and Corum could see 40% of touches.

Timestamp: 10:06–13:59

4. Wide Receiver: Jaden Higgins, HOU

• Why Start Jaden Higgins?
  • Quietly producing: WR24 in fantasy PPG since Week 10, with two top-24 finishes.
  • 18.5% target share, 4 red zone targets, and 5 deep targets in the last four games.
  • Chiefs allow the 5th most PPR points per target to perimeter WRs since Week 9.
• Quote:
  "Since week 10, I don’t think a lot of people would tell you out there Jaden Higgins has been the wide receiver 24 in fantasy points per game." — Derrick Brown (14:34)
  • Seth and D-Bro consider him a better flex this week than players like Alec Pierce, Brian Thomas Jr., Chris Godwin, Romeo Doubs, Xavier Worthy, and Quentin Johnston.
• Rest of Season Outlook:
  • "Wide receiver three moving forward… if they just bump him up to an 80% route share, borderline wide receiver two territory." — Seth Wilcox (17:27)

Timestamp: 14:34–17:59

5. Wide Receiver: Jerry Jeudy, CLE

• Why Start Jerry Jeudy?
  • More of a ceiling play/flex option for those needing upside.
  • Role as Browns’ primary deep threat: 3 deep targets in the last two weeks; Shadur Sanders shows 8th-highest deep ball rate in that span.
  • Titans’ defense: 3rd highest deep ball completion rate allowed, 2nd most deep passing yards per game since Week 9.
• Quote:
  "He has owned the deep passing role in the Cleveland Browns passing attack... match that up with a Tennessee secondary that has struggled… you are feeling pretty freaking good about that in PPR formats or half point formats, and you’ll take that from a flex play." — Seth Wilcox (18:09)
• Game Environment Factors:
  • Browns favored, Tennessee gives up 20+ points regularly and struggles to create turnovers; weather shouldn't faze former Boulder QB Shadur Sanders.

Timestamp: 18:09–20:51

6. Tight End: Dallas Goedert, PHI

• Why Start Dallas Goedert?
  • Currently TE16 in ECR despite a top-10 per-game production this year.
  • Chargers’ defense uses too-high coverage often; Goedert owns a strong 18.6% target share and 21.1% first down share against such looks.
  • Chargers allow the 12th highest yards per reception and 8th most touchdowns to TEs—even though they face few total targets, when TEs are used, they succeed.
• Quote:
  "Dallas Goddard, dude, is tight end 16 in ECR this week. I don’t understand it but I’ll take advantage… Everything points to Dallas Goddard and he shouldn’t be labeled or ranked as a tight end 2 this week. He will be a top 12 option for me." — Seth Wilcox (20:51)
• Analyst Note:
  • Recent fantasy slog and “surface” stats for LAC disguise a real opportunity here.

Timestamp: 20:51–22:24

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You get all the fantasy football takes, all the Christmas decorating tips you need, as well." — Derrick Brown (03:54)
• On Christmas lights:
  "I am not a Christmas lights guy. Two story house. I told my wife when we got this house, you will not see me… I'm not Santa Clausing this thing… breaking my collarbone or some crap, doesn't happen." — Seth Wilcox (02:52)
• "If both of those [Houston] touchdowns come through the air and not on the ground… CJ Stroud throws for multiple touchdowns and then we're just having a conversation about yardage." — Seth Wilcox (09:40)
• On lineup strategy:
  "This is one of those where you're playing the matchup… you could pick [Jerry Jeudy] up off the waiver wire and if he gets 70 in a touchdown, you are feeling pretty freaking good." — Seth Wilcox (19:28)

Summary Table: Must-Start Players for Week 14

| Position | Player | Reason to Start | Opponent | Key Supporting Stat/Insight | |-------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------|-------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | QB | Tyrod Taylor | Dual threat, great matchup, rushing floor | Miami | Dolphins 3rd-most QB rush yards last month | | QB | C.J. Stroud | Must throw to win vs tough run D | Kansas City | KC 6th in pass YPA allowed since Wk 9 | | RB | Blake Corum | Flex/RB2, growing role, soft run D | Arizona | Cards give up 8th-most rush yards since Wk 9 | | WR | Jaden Higgins | Perimeter deep/red-zone targets, trending up| Kansas City | WR24 in PPG since Wk 10 | | WR | Jerry Jeudy | High-ceiling deep threat, plus matchup | Tennessee | Titans 3rd-highest deep ball comp. rate | | TE | Dallas Goedert | Underrated, great split vs. coverage, TD up | Chargers | LAC 12th in YPR, 8th in TDs to TEs |

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------|-------------| | Intro, Playoff Stakes | 00:35–05:12 | | Tyrod Taylor QB Recommendation | 05:12–07:27 | | C.J. Stroud QB Recommendation | 07:45–09:58 | | Blake Corum RB Recommendation | 10:06–13:59 | | Jaden Higgins WR Recommendation | 14:34–17:59 | | Jerry Jeudy WR Recommendation | 18:09–20:51 | | Dallas Goedert TE Recommendation | 20:51–22:24 |

Final Thoughts

The hosts emphasize boldness in making tough Week 14 decisions to secure a playoff spot. With the byes and a slew of questionable starters, targeting leverage plays like Tyrod Taylor, C.J. Stroud, and emerging plays like Blake Corum and Jaden Higgins could be the difference-makers for fantasy managers.

Derrick Brown's closing message:
“That’s going to do it for us on this episode... Comment down below your favorite week 14 sleeper starts… Did you get your Christmas lights up yet?… For Derrick Brown, I'm Seth Wilcox. Take care y’all.” (22:24)